Acuity Surgical Devices acquires FormUp 350 from AddUp

Acuity Surgical Devices, a medical device OEM specializing in spinal surgery solutions, has acquired a FormUp 350 Powder Bed Fusion machine from AddUp – marking a significant milestone as Acuity Surgical shifts to a sole source model, emphasizing the vertical integration of its manufacturing processes to enhance control over cost, lead times, and quality.

The need to expand product lines and rapidly iterate has driven Acuity Surgical to bring additive manufacturing in-house – moving away from reliance on a global network of contract manufacturers for rapid development. This shift offers benefits such as enhanced quality and throughput, complete control over manufacturing costs, and streamlined R&D processes.

Acuity Surgical’s decision to adopt the FormUp 350 was driven by its surface finish and throughput capabilities. The machine’s larger platform (350mm x 350mm x 350mm) allows for more implants to be produced in a single build, while the high-quality surface finish and reduced need for support structures significantly reduced the need for post-processing. The proven reliability and repeatability of the machine was also key to ensuring consistency among a variety of product lines offered by Acuity Surgical.

“Partnering with AddUp and integrating the FormUp 350 into our manufacturing process represents a pivotal moment for Acuity Surgical,” said Bryan Cowan, Co-founder and CEO of Acuity Surgical. “This collaboration not only enhances our production capabilities but also aligns with our commitment to delivering the highest quality products to our customers. As a company focused on destiny control, we are excited about the future and the new possibilities this integration brings.”

Prior to the efforts to consolidate and shift their legacy product lines to the FormUp 350, AddUp partnered with Acuity Surgical to assist in the validation process for these existing products. AddUp has a history of working with medical device OEMs as they have brought new products to market or made the shift to the FormUp 350. The AddUp Solution Center, based in Cincinnati Ohio, is the North American AddUp subsidiary and strongly focuses on the medical sector. In early 2023, AddUp established a Medical Advisory Board to help guide AddUp and its customers as they navigate common challenges in this industry.

“We are thrilled to work with Acuity Surgical and support their transition to in-house manufacturing. Utilizing the resources at our ISO 13485 certified AddUp Solution Center, we are confident that this partnership will drive innovation and excellence in the medical device industry,” said Nick Estock, Deputy CEO of AddUp.